High Standard DM101 22 Magnum Derringer misfires

[OMCHamlin]

Anybody here have any experience working on a High Standard DM101 22 Magnum Derringer? I have one that apparently does not rotate (or cam) the firing pin from one barrel to the next. If you have experience or know of someone online and can point me in a good direction, thanks!

 

[jimmyj]

There is a High Standard forum that deals with these derringers and repairs.
I have had several since the 1970s.
The cartridges must be fully seated in the chamber for reliable ignition
The problem you are having is repairable.

 

[Aquarik]

Many years ago, I owned one with the same problem. As I recall, upon disassembly I observed a round plastic ratchet that moves the firing pin from the upper to the lower barrel as the trigger is pulled. Two of the ratchet teeth were broken. Numrich Arms, now known as "Gun Parts Corp"., had the part. Reassembly with the new part solved the problem.

 

[OMCHamlin]

There is a High Standard forum that deals with these derringers and repairs.
I have had several since the 1970s.
The cartridges must be fully seated in the chamber for reliable ignition
The problem you are having is repairable.

Looks like there are several, do you have a title or a link?
And thanks, by the way!
OMC

 

[jimmyj]

H/S Derringer

Looks like there are several, do you have a title or a link?
And thanks, by the way!
OMC

Sorry but I lost the information when "Computer Challenged" Jimmy deleted my "Favorites List" on my laptop without meaning to.

I suggest type in "High Standard Derringers" in the search of internet and this should get you there.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Hope you get yours repaired. Interesting little pistol.

Rich

The duct-tape was to keep debris out of the innards (it covered up holes in the grip sides). Made gun much flatter.


Seventrees pocket holster.


Belt holster. Why? I don't know.




Inside the pants holster. Not very practical. Seventrees or Null I think.

 

[153]

I used to carry mine in the top pocket of my Levi jacket ...

 

[Otreb]

It probably needs the ratchet, they're plastic IIRC
Numrich lists them , but not in stock.
I have the D100 in .22lr, they are worth fixing and the very best shooting derringers.

 

[OMCHamlin]

Actually, the ratchet looks pristine, at least the part that has the 4 teeth that is visable by removing the left side plate. The actuator (or pawl) looks okay as well. The spring that keeps the pawl against the ratchet seems a little weak, and is not terminated, I wonder if it is homemade? (by terminated, I mean the last coil is flat and closed, this is just...cut)

 

[jimmyj]

Try firing with the cartridges FULLY seated in the chambers, after making sure the chambers are scrubbed clean.

 

[OMCHamlin]

Try firing with the cartridges FULLY seated in the chambers, after making sure the chambers are scrubbed clean.

I am going to slide out on a limb here and offer that you perhaps didn't fully read the first post, this is clearly a firing pin upper to lower barrel transition issue, not a matter of light primer strikes. What I have figured out is that somewhere along the line, someone must have lost the Actuator spring and replaced it with a very (too) lightly constructed spring, so I have ordered the correct one. We'll see...

 

[Cyrano]

Good luck to you. Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[OMCHamlin]

Good luck to you. Please let us know how it turns out.

Well, I found a spring (for $8.95 + $9.99 S&H, and oh wait, the only place that had it, had a minimum order of $18.99 + shipping!) so I am essentially starting with darn near a $30 spring, though it sure feels more like a screw to me...

 

[OMCHamlin]

Okay, I replaced the actuator spring, and have now definitively solved the problem of the firing pin camming up and down properly. NOW I have a light firing pin strike issue, more pronounced with Hornady and Speer 22WMR, but also a few on some CCIs that I tried as well. Sooo, I've ordered a new hammer spring, with the idea that after that, I may replace the firing pin itself, and if all of the above combined fails, option four will then be to chuck the thing into the Atlantic ocean and then go punch the son of a gun (not what I really mean to say) that sold it to me right dead square in the sack...

 

[OMCHamlin]

After further replacing the hammer spring (no improvement) and then finally the firing pin itself, I saw the problem through to a successful conclusion, she now reliably lights off whatever is shoved in her two chambers, Hornadys, CCIs Winchesters, Federals, whatever. And, I learned a great deal more then I previously knew about the innards of a High Standard DM101 along the way, and learning stuff is good.
Heck, I even ran across a slick pair of checkered walnut stocks for the little bugger that make the nickled finish look really nice. Hope I can blunder into a pretty little Null belt holster like RichCapeCod has, that would be quite a nice little set up!
Thanks to all that offered advice!

 

[Jingles]

Watch Ebay for holsters. I have picked up four different holsters in auctions. Some for as little as $5. The holy grail is a Galco Wallet holster but they usually go for $100+. They are also illegal to use here in CA so I don't know why I want one - but I do!

 

[Dennis The B]

Watch Ebay for holsters. I have picked up four different holsters in auctions. Some for as little as $5. The holy grail is a Galco Wallet holster but they usually go for $100+. They are also illegal to use here in CA so I don't know why I want one - but I do!

The combination is illegal, period; not just California. You can own each, but can't have the combination without the BATFE NFA permit.

 

[Ed Fowler]

I simply fold mine into my handkerchief, rides well and is protected from lint and stuff, I do have an Uncle Mike's holster for when she is laying around on my desk.

 

[steelslaver]

The combination is illegal, period; not just California. You can own each, but can't have the combination without the BATFE NFA permit.

Why is a certain holster gun combo illegal via the BATF????

What so special about this holster. Does it turn the thing into a 2 shot machine gun or have a built in silencer???

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Watch Ebay for holsters. I have picked up four different holsters in auctions. Some for as little as $5. The holy grail is a Galco Wallet holster but they usually go for $100+. They are also illegal to use here in CA so I don't know why I want one - but I do!

The combination is illegal, period; not just California. You can own each, but can't have the combination without the BATFE NFA permit.

Why is a certain holster gun combo illegal via the BATF????

What so special about this holster. Does it turn the thing into a 2 shot machine gun or have a built in silencer???

Some years back the BATF ruled that because the holster completely covers the little gun such that it is 100% impossible to identify as a gun once enclosed in the holster it is an "AOW", any other weapon, and requires a $5.00 ATF tax certificate.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/member...hs-22-magnum-derringer-galco-aow-holster.html

Look at that picture. That's what bothered the ATF.

Why?

I have no idea.

But every other mousegun holster in the world exposes some part of the gun, the slide, the hammer, something. All the Galco exposes is the trigger and it's not really exposed if it is in your hand. I have no idea why that matters to anyone; I am not advocating, just explaining what I know about the issue.

Please note that the derringer-holster combination in the photograph is registered, tax paid, certificate/stamp in my possession. I don't want anyone to think I'd commit a crime! My Class III FFL actually put a serial number into the holster when he sent in the paperwork for the tax stamp. Without that number you can't get the stamp; the item has to be identified.

I know it's weird but the whole thing is weird from the get go!

And of course almost anything Class III is illegal in California - it's ridiculous. I'm guessing that the holster itself is not illegal to own in California, it's just a chunk of leather with a brass snap, but that's true outside of California, too. It is ONLY AN AOW when the gun is in combination with the holster as shown in the photo above.